Map of Barter Island
Area

Barter Island
Station History

Located on north coast of Alaska adjacent to Kaktovik. Brooks range relatively
close to coast, around 50 miles to south. Current coordinates 70 degrees
7' N, 143 degrees 40' W, elevation 39 feet. Final LCD summary gives longitude
as 143 degrees 38' W. Station opened by Air Force 9/23/47 with temperature
recorded at 5 feet. Taken over by USWB 12/9/56 with move 1 mile W and thermometer
raised to 6 feet. Thermometer raised to 7 feet 10/14/58. Temperature raised
to 13 feet 9/18/72. Station closed 1/2/89.

Time of observation midnight throughout record. (Note change to effective
time of 11 pm November 1983 because of time zone shift.) Although listed
as USWB, station was contractor operated from early 80's to end of record.

Record length short, cmpleteness good since mid fifties, continuity looks
reasonable since 1956 but longitude needs to be rechecked. Local experience
suggests caution in using data.